PokerStars Open Málaga 2026 is underway on Spain’s southern coast, with two early €220 winners already crowned and the €2,200 High Roller quickly becoming the first major focus of the festival.
The series runs from June 22 to 28 at Casino Gran Madrid, Torrequebrada. After the opening side events got the schedule moving, attention shifted to the High Roller, which drew 280 entries on Day 1 before climbing past 300 on Day 2.
High Roller Passes 300 Entries
The €2,200 PokerStars Open High Roller opened with 280 entries on Day 1. On Day 2, 131 players took their seats, pushing the total field beyond the 300-entry mark.
Portugal’s Joao Fernandes da Silva ended Day 1 as chip leader with 298,000 chips. The field also includes several familiar names, among them 2025 PokerStars Open Málaga Main Event champion Manuel Ferrari, Arthur Conan, Conor O’Driscoll, Dara O’Kearney, and Andrew Hulme.
The available update has not yet included the final entry count, prize pool, or winner of the 2026 High Roller.
Ralph and Jakobsen Win Opening Titles
Before the High Roller moved into the spotlight, two €220 events helped open the festival.
Nicholas Ralph of the UK won the €220 Bounty, topping 281 entries to collect €5,362 plus bounties.
The €220 Deep Stack title went to Norway’s Thomas Jakobsen, who earned €8,707 after a three-way deal with Andrei-Eduard Pirvulescu and Manuel Romero. Pirvulescu finished second for €8,695, while Romero took third for €8,700.
Main Event Runs June 24 to 28
The €1,100 Main Event is scheduled for June 24 to 28 and carries a €1,000,000 guarantee. PokerStars also listed 49 seat-only qualifiers who earned their places online.
Among them are David “PHISHINBOY” Lappin, Conor “ccOOnnOOrr” O’Driscoll, and Matt “Harn1” Harniman. Lappin booked his seat through a satellite, while Harniman was highlighted as the player with more Power Path Gold and Silver Passes than anyone else.
Key Events at PokerStars Open Málaga 2026
- €2,200 High Roller: June 23 to 24
- €1,100 Main Event: June 24 to 28, €1,000,000 GTD
- €550 Second Chance: June 26 to 27
- €5,000 Super High Roller: June 27
- €400 Mystery Bounty Cup: June 27 to 28
Away from the tables, players and guests can visit the Players’ Lounge at Tulum Beach Bar from June 24 to 27. The lounge is open daily from 12:00 to 01:30 and is limited to players and guests.
The program includes FIFA World Cup screenings, happy hours, foosball, quizzes, bingo, beer pong, games night, and a World Cup Fiesta across the week.
Ferrari Returns After 2025 Main Event Victory
Manuel Ferrari’s appearance in this year’s High Roller adds another familiar name to the Málaga field. In 2025, Ferrari won the PokerStars Open Málaga Main Event after a heads-up deal with fellow Italian Ermanno Di Nicola.
Ferrari earned €206,300 for the victory, while Di Nicola received €188,360. The 2025 Main Event drew 1,636 entries from 944 unique players and generated a €1,570,560 prize pool. Compared with 2024, total entries increased by 42%, while the number of unique players rose by 48%.
The 2025 High Roller also grew year over year, with entries up 38% and the prize pool reaching €552,960. Jorge Ruiz won that event for €112,960.
With the High Roller underway and the Main Event set to begin, PokerStars Open Málaga 2026 is moving into the busiest stretch of its festival schedule.
